ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Webinar on Covid-19 and related issues organised today
A webinar on Covid-19 and related issues was organized today by Regional Outreach Bureau  & Press Information Bureau , Chandigarh under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. During webinar, the guest speakers dwelled on facts about Delta plus variant, Covid vaccination of pregnant women and mental health during the pandemic.
Briefing on the need for vaccination among pregnant women, guest speaker, Dr. N K Arora, Chairperson, Covid-19 Task Force  said that Covid-19 infection during pregnancy may result in rapid deterioration of health of pregnant women and they are at an increased risk of severe diseases. Recognised with high transmissibility rate, the delta variant caused serious impact during the second wave, said Dr. Arora. As states are relaxing the lockdown measures, he emphasised on following the covid-appropriate behaviour to break the transmission chain. He further informed the anganwadi workers about benefits of vaccination in pregnant women and cautions to be exercised.
On this occasion, another speaker, Dr. Gautam Saha, President, Indian Psychiatry Society, Kolkata said that Covid-19 has created mental health issues like depression, loneliness and anxiety among public due to uncertainty associated with coronavirus, quarantine & lockdown measures and misinformation on Covid-19 vaccination. He informed that Delta plus is a new variant which has tremendous infectivity and every pregnant women should take Covid vaccine if there is no absolute contraindication. Awareness, counselling, following safety measures, discipline lifestyle are the key factors for keeping mental health well, added Dr. Saha.
Shri Hitesh Rawat, Assistant Director, PIB, Chandigarh presented the welcome address to the participants. Ms. Sapna, Assistant Director, ROB, Chandigarh moderated the session and highlighted various activities being done in the region to create awareness among the public regarding Covid-19. Mrs. Sangeeta Joshi, Assistant Director, ROB, Chandigarh presented a vote of thanks to the speakers and the participants present.
Other officials from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, anganwadi workers, representatives from FM channels and community radio from the region also participated in the webinar.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 79.58 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 5.43 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs with more than 15 Lakh doses in Pipeline
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccinemanufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
79,58,74,395
|
|
PIPELINE
|
|
15,51,940
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
5,43,43,490
More than 79.58crore vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.Further, more than 15Lakh doses  are in the pipeline.
More than 5.43Cr balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Prime Minister's Office
PM praises devotees' spirit of keeping places of pilgrimage clean
The Prime Minister has appreciated the growing spirit among the pilgrims to keep the places of worship clean.
The Prime Minister was reacting to a tweet thread by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami where the Chief Minister narrated the incidents of devotees cleaning the places of pilgrimage in response to the Prime Minister's call to keep our places of religious faith clean on Mann Ki Baat programme.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
श्रद्धालुओं की यह भावना तीर्थस्थलों की स्वच्छता के लिए हर किसी को प्रेरित करने वाली है।
Ministry of Railways
MOU with Ministry of Skill Development
An MoU was signed between the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on 14.07.2015, for making available spare capacity of Railway infrastructure to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, for starting Skill Training Centres for youth, particularly in rural and remote areas. As per MoU, the role of Ministry of Railways was to make available spare capacity of Railway infrastructure to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, for starting Skill Training Centres, not for providing Technical manpower for organizing skill development programmes.
Indian Railways would contribute in Skill Development including making available shareable infrastructure available at certain way side stations, training centers, schools, institutes which are not operationally required and which can be made available to Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and its representatives.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship would primarily discharge its responsibilities through the Directorate General of Training and National Skill Development Corporation that has been set up by the Government of India to promote and provide funding for skill development by catalyzing creation of large number of quality vocational institutions.
The Ministry of Railways, after the identification has been done by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship would decide to lease on No Cost Basis to make available the said infrastructure for the duration and the time period as may be agreed upon.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through Directorate General of Training and National Skill Development Corporation would develop skill development programmes for candidates, who will be identified by various means like advertisement/publicity and finally selected by the authorized representatives of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Preventive Measures for Manual Scavenging
There is no verified report of people currently engaged in manual scavenging in the country. However, manual cleaning of septic tanks and sewers is being resorted to in some areas.
A National Policy for mechanized Sanitation Eco-system has been formulated in consultation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Drinking water and Sanitation which envisages, inter alia, the following:
- Appointment of Responsible Sanitation Authority in every District.
- Setting up of Sanitation Response Unit  in each municipality.
- Equipping SRUs with necessary devices, machines and vehicles required for mechanized cleaning.
- Professionally trained manpower for mechanized cleaning.
- 24x7 helpline to receive complaints regarding blockage of sewers and septic tanks.
- Setting up facilities for evacuation, transportation and treatment of sludge from septic tanks.
- Training to the staff of municipalities and contractors in the mechanized cleaning of sewers/septic tanks.
The following measures have been taken to promote 100% mechanization, specially cleaning of sewers, septic tanks, desilting of drains, garbage lifting, sludge handling, solid and medical waste disposal etc. and for the benefit of sanitation workers  and their dependants to provide sustainable livelihood:-
- Under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana  concessional loans are provided to sanitation workers and their dependants and the urban local bodies for procurement of sanitation related equipments, machines and vehicles costing upto Rs. 50.00 lakh. The Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers  has been revised from 2020-21 to provide capital subsidy upto Rs. 5.00 lakh to sanitation workers and their dependants for sanitation related projects.
- Under Recognition of Prior Learning  programme, free short duration upskilling training is provided to the sanitation workers. The candidates are trained about mechanized cleaning and safety precautions for safe and healthy cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
- Workshops are organised with officers, engineers, sanitary inspectors, supervisors, contractors and sanitation workers etc. of urban local bodies and authorities responsible for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. During the workshops the participants are made aware about the provisions under the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013”, the rules framed there under and other provisions for safe and healthy cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves Minimum Support Price for Copra for 2020 season
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the Minimum Support Prices  for copra for 2020 season.
The MSP for Fair Average Quality  of milling copra has been increased to Rs. 9,960/- per quintal for 2020 season from Rs. 9,521/- per quintal in 2019 and the MSP for ball copra has been increased to Rs. 10,300/- per quintal for 2020 season from Rs. 9,920/- per quintal in 2019. This will accrue a benefit of Rs 439/- per quintal in the milling copra and Rs 380/- increase in the Ball Copra.
This is to ensure a return of 50 percent for milling copra and 55 percent for ball copra over the all India weighted average cost of production.
The approval is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices .
The increase in MSP for copra for 2020 season is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the all India weighted average cost of production which was announced by the Government in the Budget 2018-19.
It assures a minimum of 50 percent as margin of profit as one of the important and progressive steps towards making possible doubling of farmers' incomes by 2022.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited  and National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited  will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies to undertake price support operations at the MSP in the coconut growing states.
Last year when there was crash in prices in Tamil Nadu, the timely intervention by Govt of India through purchase at MSP, this pushed the market sentiment upward benefitting the copra farmers.
India is number one in production and productivity of Copra in the World.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports invites applications for Sports Awards 2022
Applications are invited only in online mode through a dedicated Portal dbtyas-sports.gov.in; applications will be accepted by 11:59 pm till 20th September, 2022
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India invites applications for Sports Awards each year. The notification inviting applications for these sports awards for the year 2022 has been uploaded on the website www.yas.nic.in. The Indian Olympic Association/Sports Authority of India/recognized National Sports Federations/ Sports Promotion Boards/ State and UTs Governments etc. are also intimated accordingly.
Applications from the eligible sportspersons/ coaches/ entities/ universities are invited for the award. This year onwards, applications are being invited only in online mode through a dedicated Portal. The applicants eligible in accordance with the award guidelines are permitted to self-apply, without the recommendation of the authorities/persons, online at the Portal dbtyas-sports.gov.in only. In case of any issue faced in online application, the applicant may contact the Department of Sports at the e- mail id section.sp4-moyas[at]gov[dot]in or at Tel. No.011-23387432 from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm on any working day. The application of the eligible sportspersons for the award must be submitted at the Portal dbtyas-sports.gov.in by 11.59 pm on 20th September, 2022. Applications received after the last date will not be considered.
Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years; Arjuna Award is given for consistent outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award goes to the coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events whereas Dhyan Chand Award is for life time contribution to sports development. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar is given to the Corporate entities and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad  Trophy is given to university for overall top performance in inter-university tournaments.
Ministry of Defence
AFRO Completes 80 Years
Today, Air Force Record Office  celebrated 80th anniversary of it's formation with ceremonial fervour at Subroto Park, New Delhi. Senior serving and retired officers were present to celebrate the event.
The Air Officer Commanding AFRO, Air Commodore AR Shendye VM delivered a performance status report as a prelude to the ceremony. He also gave a gist of the events being undertaken to commemorate the event. The activities included inauguration of the AFRO History Cell and Museum by Air Vice Marshal GS Bedi VM VSM, Assistant Chief of Air Staff , a Musical Evening being graced by Air Vice Marshal S Ravi Vridhachalem VM VSM, Assistant Chief of Air Staff , Mini Sports Olympiad, Walkathon , Marathon , Painting Competition , Cycling Expedition, Tree Plantation and Blood Donation Camp.
The highlight of the evening would be the release of a Coffee Table Book titled ‘AFRO Through the Ages’ by Air Marshal RaghunathNambiar PVSM AVSM VM & Bar ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command.
The AFRO can justifiably take pride in being one of the oldest IAF formations. After its formation as IAF Record Office at Ambala in 1939, it changed several locations such as Lahore in 1941, Bombay in 1942, Madras in 1946 and New Delhi in 1947 before finding its permanent location at Subroto Park in 1966. During its eight decades of existence, its growth has been closely interlinked with that of the IAF. Initially handling the end to end HR management of only 14100 Hawai Sepoys in 1947, today it has grown into a mammoth institution looking after nearly 1,43,000 Air Warriors. Its aim now is to automate all manual processes and reduce paper movement between outlying field units and AFRO, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability. The skilled and dedicated personnel of ‘Team AFRO’ follow the IAF tenet of “Mission, Integrity & Excellence” in the discharge of their duties so that the IAF touches the sky with glory.
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications Announces ‘5G Hackathon’
In its endeavour toidentify and promote applications relevant to India in the 5G realm, the Department of Telecommunications  has launched ‘5G Hackathon’in association with a number of government, academia& industry stakeholders. Aimed at shortlisting India focussed cutting edge ideas that can be converted into workable 5G products and solutions, the Hackathon will be spread across three phases beginning from February 21, 2020 and culminate in a grand felicitation ceremony at India Mobile Congress on October 16, 2020. Winners of the various phases will share a total prize pool of INR 2.5 Crores, and an unique opportunity to scale and implement their 5G applications to make them market ready with the support of DoT, MeitY and a number of leading industry, academia, Telcos/OEMs.
5G technology provides quantum leap over 4G in terms of speed, peak data rate, latency, spectrum efficiency and connection density. Most distinct feature is applications in different economic verticals. 5G Hackathon will convert innovating ideas in to products and solutions in different verticals and develop India specific Use cases around 5G. Various phases of the Hackathon broadly include preliminary submission of ideas, selection of 100 best ideas, mentorship and support from the Hackathon partners, development of solutions/products, selection and testing of 30 best solutions/ products on 5G trial network followed by felicitation of the 3 best ideas during India Mobile Congress , 2020. Participants can develop 5G solutionsfrom across 10 categories including Healthcare, Education & Governance, AgriTech & Livestock, Environment, Public Safety & Disaster Management Enterprise, Smart Cities & Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Banking, Finance & Insurance, Logistics & Transportation, Multimedia & Broadcast, among others.
The 5G Hackathon is open to developers, students, start-ups, SMEs, academic institutions & registered companies in India & NRIs. Stakeholders can participate as individuals or as a team to present use cases for the 5G network in the Indian context.
A jury comprising of academicians, industry leaders and subject experts from around the countrywill be established to facilitate assessment and shortlisting of submissions. The details of Hackathon can be seen on the website www.5ghackathon.in.
- In association with Niti Aayog, MEITY, Digital India, Startup India, MSME, C-DoT, DST, TCOE India, TEPC, TSDSI, COAI, India Mobile Congress, KPMG, Academic Institutions IITs/IIIT/REC, Industry etc.
- Total prize money INR 2.5 crore spread across three phases
- For more information visit: www.5ghackathon.in
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF CHAITRA SUKLADI, UGADI, GUDI PADWA, CHETI CHAND, NAVREH AND SAJIBU CHEIRAOBA
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu has conveyed her greetings to her fellow citizens on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.
In a message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens.
These festivals, which are celebrated on the arrival of the Indian New Year, are symbols of our faith and carriers of our ancient culture. These festivals of happiness strengthen the spirit of social harmony and brotherhood in our society. We also express our gratitude to nature through these festivals.
May these festivals bind different communities of India in bonds of love, harmony and affection and bring happiness and prosperity for all”.
Please click here to see the President's message -
Ministry of Steel
Sports Policy For Steel Ministry CPSEs Launched
Chaudhary Birender Singh speaking during the launch of sports policy
Union Minister of Steel, Chaudhary Birender Singh, unveiled the corporate sports policy for Central Public Sector Enterprises  under the Ministry of Steel here today. The policy will provide a framework for promotion of sports by Steel Ministry CPSEs.
Speaking on this occasion, Chaudhary Birender Singh said that sports is an indicator of a country’s economic development and strength and CPSEs, under the Steel Ministry, will strive to groom medal aspirants for the Olympic Games. The Minister explained that CPSEs will discharge their responsibility through infrastructural and institutional support for talent spotting, scholarships, training and coaching. Emphasizing the need for institutional support to sports, the Minister said the “Khelo India” programme of the Central Government, which provides annual financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh per annum for 8 years to talented players identified in priority sports disciplines, has started yielding results.
The Minister said that Steel CPSEs will allocate a specific budget for sports activities, as per their financial strength, and this budget will be separate from the company’s CSR funds. He further stated that CPSEs under the Steel Ministry will encourage rural sports, sports for differently-abled and activities for homemakers by sponsoring annual and periodic sporting events. CPSEs of the Steel Ministry will also sponsor national and international sporting events.
All the Steel Ministry CPSEs will form an Apex Sports Body which will get affiliated to National Level Sports Associations and Federations, Indian Olympic Association  and Para Olympic Federation and Association. Maharatna and Navaratna CPSEs may set up Sports Academy in at least one of the identified sports discipline and maintain infrastructure there for including general fitness equipment and facilities.
The Minister said that the Steel Ministry is responsible not only for its PSEs but also for nation-building and the sports policy is directed towards that end.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 370
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 160.32 crore
More than 60 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 160.32 Crore  today. More than 60 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 68 lakh  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10391034
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9801545
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2432259
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18389859
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17102302
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2271787
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
39442385
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
531138654
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
380829437
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
198550363
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
164353169
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
123715207
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
102677176
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2130067
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
921627502
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
674763629
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6834113
|
|
Total
|
|
1603225244
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 20th January, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
164
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
4752
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
131810
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
195
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9949
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
251947
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
901110
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1029556
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2222618
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
158713
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
630729
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
108623
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
366835
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
262372
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
2198361
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
3234883
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
646129
|
|
Total
|
|
6079373
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Tributes to the courageous Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary. She was at the forefront of ensuring justice for her people. She fiercely resisted colonialism and also worked for the welfare of society. Her bravery will keep motivating generations to come."